Washington: The United States on Thursday announced that it is making a contribution of USD 40 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees in the Near East.
"Of this contribution, USD 30 million will support the UNRWA`s core services in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the West Bank and Gaza," Assistant Secretary of State for Public
Affairs, PJ Crowley, said.
"An additional USD 10 million will support the UNRWA`s emergency appeal for the West Bank and Gaza, including emergency food assistance and job creation programs," he said.
The USD 40 million contribution will provide critical health, education, and humanitarian services to 4.7 million Palestinian refugees across the region.
The US is UNRWA`s largest bilateral donor. In 2009, the US provided over USD 267 million to UNRWA, including USD 116.2 million to its General Fund, USD 119.5 million to its West Bank/Gaza emergency programmes, USD 30 million to emergency programmes in Lebanon, and USD 2.2 million to assist other Palestinians in the region.
PTI
